Stimulation of apical H-K-ATPase in intercalated cells of cortical collecting duct with chronic metabolic acidosis.

This study evaluated the role of H-K-adenosinetriphosphatase (H-K-ATPase) with chronic metabolic acidosis (CMA) in intercalated cells (ICs) of rabbit cortical collecting duct (CCD). CMA was induced by replacing drinking water with 75 mM NH4Cl in 5% sucrose for 10-14 days. CCDs isolated from CMA and control rabbits were split open and exposed to the intracellular pH (pH(i)) indicator 2',7'-bis(carboxyethyl)-5(6)-carboxyfluorescein. In N-2-hydroxyethylpiperazine-N' -2-ethanesulfonic acid-buffered solutions, the resting pH(i) in ICs was similar for both groups. K-dependent pH(i) recovery (5 mM K, 140 mM N-methyl-D-glucamine) was monitored in response to a pulse of NH4Cl (10 mM). The K-dependent pH(i) recovery rate was threefold higher in CMA ICs compared with controls and was abolished with the gastric H-K-ATPase inhibitor, Sch-28080 (10(-5) M). Polarity of the H-K-ATPase was studied in microperfused CMA and control CCDs. Luminal K-dependent pH(i) recovery was monitored in response to an acute pulse of NH4Cl in individual peanut lectin agglutinin (PNA)-binding ICs. The apical Sch-28080-inhibitable K-dependent pH(i) recovery rate was significantly greater in CMA ICs than control ICs. In summary, CMA enhances functional activity of an apical H-K-ATPase in PNA-binding ICs of rabbit CCD.